Mail-chute



F. B. CK.

v MAIL' CHUTE. l APPLICATION man M1115, 1915. neuswfn Dic. 8, 1917. y

1,338,9'Y6. Patented May 4, 1920.

3 SHEETS-s115511 1. i

F. B. COOK.

MAIL CHUTE. APPLICATION mw 11H15. 1915. RENEwED Dic. s. 1917.

Patented May 4, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 hws/vwl?l f M Br A Urfa/mfr F. B. COOK..

MAIL CHUTE.

APPLICATION mio 11H15. 1915. RENEwEn Dsc. s, 1917.

1,338,976. m5111011 May 4,1920.

l 3 SHEETS--SHEET 3.

A TTORNEY 4 Il IN1/11101? www( l mf@ unirsi) s'rn'rrs PATENT orrioii.

vFREDERICK B. COOK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MAIL-CHUTE.

Application :filed May 15, 1915, Serial No. 28,347.

To all inkom it may conce/ra X Be it known that I, Fnnniaiu'cii B. (nooit, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident from obstructions that may impede or choke the passage of mail therethrough, and which may be readily disassembled Vby authorized persons to enable the saine to be repaired or to remove any mail matter that should be caught therein, and to provide such a chute which is more eiiicient than such mail chutes previously in use. l

More particularly, an important object of my invention is the provision of a letter-- tight joint between the box or body of the chute and the front or panel, so as to prevent any letters or like mail matter from lodging or sticking in the joint.

With these and other objects in View, one embodiment of niyvinvention is shown in the accompanying drawings, and will be hereinafter more fully described and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Figurel is a front elevation of one enibodinient of my improved chute;

Fig. 2 isa front elevation of the same with the front walls removed;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the front walls and locking bar;

F e is a vertical central section of the upper portion of vmy said embodiment of improved chute;

Fig. 5 is a vertical central. section of intermediate portion thereof;

Fig. 6 is a 'vertical central section of the bottom portion of the same;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of jamb with front wall attached;

the

Fig. 8 is a detail of the drop-opening gate, p Y

F ig. 9 is a cross-section on the line a--a of ini 0. l .l hn 7 Fig. 10 is a cross-section on the'line L of Fig. l; and

F ig. 1l is a cross-section on the line 0 0 of Fig. l.

Similar reference characters'indicate oor` Specification of Lettei'slatent.

tudinal recesses 'Patented May 4L,` 1920.

'Renewedh December 8, 1917. Serial No, 206,328.

responding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 2 and'9 thereof, a continuous channel comprising arear portion l0 and side portions ll and'12 bent forwardlyat right angles therefrom and having a slight resiliency, is supported in position by straps v13 arranged Yat intervals along-'the height of the same, and attaching strips le and l5 extending along the height of the chute and secured at each side of the said straps. At the forward or outer portions the said side walls are turned inwardly at right angles thereto, forwardly therefrom for a bend slightly greater than 900, outwardly in a line parallel with the said inwardly bent portion, and backwardly right angles to the'said outwardly bent portion, and extending to the said inwardly bent portion at a point removed from the said side walls, thereby forming hollow jainbs 1G and i7 at each side ofthe chan 'nel having a slight resiliency, together with the side members l1 and l2, and having flat front faces, inclined inner faces, and longiat the sides thereof extending along the height of the chute. At the upper end of the said channel is provided a hopper 19 having its lowerend extending into the upper end of the said channel, and

having its forward face 20 inclined outwardly to form a suitable unobstructed connection with the next chute section of the floor above. A top section 2l extends around the front and sides of the said hopper, and has the rear or inner portions 22 of the sides bent inwardly upon the rear face thereof. The upper edges of the said hopper are bent over uponl the upper edge of the top piece,las at 23, and the sides of the said vtop piece are. provided with depending portions 24 for securing the same to the upper endof the next chute section below.. Y

To this purpose, the lower portions of the depending portions 24 y are folded upon themselves, as at 25, and the forwardly projecting ends 26 of a bar 27 extending across the back of the chute, beneath longitudinal strips la and 15, engage the said folded portion and securely hold thev same to the upper edge of the chute section by means of screws 2S passing therethrough. The portion of the said bar 27 between the strips 14 fwd and 15 is spaced from the chute for permitting the same to be secured to the wall. Blocks 29 are screwed to the said depending portions, and molding pieces 30 are soldered thereon to cover the joint between the top piece and the continuous channel. A cornice 31 is provided at the upper portion of the top piece and is secured thereto by means of screws 32 passing through the ends of a bar 33 at the back of the same. v

A base 34 is provided at the lower end of the said channel, extending around the front and sides of the same, and provided at the back with angular attaching members secured to the sides of thebase at 35, and extending beneath the strips 14 and 15 at the rear. A frame 36 is provided at the upper edge of the said base, and is provided with. a downwardly depending flange 37. A rectangular tube extension 38 is 'provided at the lower end of the said channel, which is adapted to extend into the hopper of the next lower chute section, having its rear face engaging at its upper portion the rear of the said channel and the upper portions of the front and side faces bent upon the said frame 36, as at 38', Fig. G. ,The said bentover portions of the sides are secured to the sides of the frame by means of molding pieces 39, which are secured to blocks 40 Vprovided at the lower ends of the said channel. The frame 36 is provided beneath the fill jambs of the channel with struck-up projections 41, which extend into the ends ofl the said jambs, and thereby reinforce the same.

' The front wall completes the mail chute, and each section of the said chute is provided with a plate glass panel 42, so as to enable an observer to see whether or not letters dropped therein fall, and whether' the chute is clogged. VThe frame of the frontr wall comprises metal strips 43 and 44 at the sides, of substantially U-shapey in cross-section, but having-the inner leg of the U shorter kthan the other, and provided with a flanged portion 45 projecting inwardly at ight angles therefrom, and is inclosed with- 'in a sheet-metal shell 46, which is bent over `the edge of the outer portion of the s aid strip, A and extendsupwardly from the inner portion to form a channel 47 to receive the edge of the plate glass panel 42. The base of the said channel 47, that is to say, the channel wall 'facing the jamb, is inclined in a direction away from the inclined wall of the jamb, the two inclined walls converging toward the in- Jeerior of the chute. Thus, when the front or glass panel is in place, there will be a wedged jointbetween said two walls, caused bytheir inclination toward each other and the slight resilience of the sides 11 and 12 and the members 16 and 17, the point of contact being flush with or slightly forward of the rear face of the jamb., making a neatly Y tive front walls.

`at a point in line with the rearV wall of the channel, and the result of the wedging pressure will therefore be a Atendency to force laterally or toward each other, the rear walls of the two channels 47 at yopposite side edges of the panel 42, and thus said panel edges will be clamped more tightly between the front and the rearwalls of the channels as the wedging pressure will forcel the engaging edges of said rear walls not only laterally, but forwardly, or'toward the respecthere is a free space between the side edge of the glass panel 42 and the rearwardly inclined sine wall of the channel47, so that said. side wall can swing laterally to a slight extent, under the influence of the vrwedging action described above, the forward corner of each channel 47 being in close engagef ment with the corner of the panel 42, and forming a pivot for such swinging movement, Y Downwardly and inwardly projecting hooked portions 52 struck from the said strips 43 andV 44, are provided in spaced relation along the said panels, and engage cnt-out portions provided in the janibs 1G and 17, the said cut-out portions being cut from the front faces and outer sides thereof, thereby securing the panels to the .'aid jambs and permitting removal thereof by upward movement of the said panels.

k'il he inner faces of the said hooked portions ae very slightly beveled, so that Vthere is formed a gradually tightening joint. yThe 1t will also be noted that upper portionl of the frame of the upper j panel or front wall comprises a horizontal member 48 of U-shape in cross-section extending around three sides of the panel and secured to the upper end of the members 43 and 44 .by means of screws 49, blocks 5() being provided on the said member 48 through which the screws pass. A cut-out portion 51 is provided along the upper portion of the said member 48, so that when the panel is in position, the said member engages the top section 21 and the ends of the same abut the molding strips 30 thereof.

The upper portion of the lower panel comprises a strip 54 having its ends inclosing the upper'ends of the strips 43 and 44 and secured thereto by means of rivets 55. The upper end of the said strip is bent inwardly upon itself, and its extremity is upset, as at 5G, to engage the glass panel, and the lower end of the said strip is bent forwardly,

as at 57, toform a horizontal transverse bar.

rlfhe low r portion of the upper panel is formed in a somewhat similar manner, comprising a strip 58 having 'its ends inclosinO the lower ends of the strips i3 and 4A and secured to the same by rivets 59, the said strip being bent at its lower end upwardly upon itself, inwardly at right angles thereto at 6), and downwardly to form an apron 6l, the upper end of the said strip being bent forwardly to form a horizontal transverse bar, a locking device, as hereinafter described, being provided between the two sections engaging the forwardly .proj ecting transverse bars. The lower end of the lower' panel comprises a horizontal member secured to the lower ends of the strips 48 and A by screws 63, and engages the top of the base i recessed portion Gil is provided at the inner side of the said member, upon o which the end of the glass panel is seated,

the said panel slightly overhanging he said recess, and a shoulder is provided beneath the recessed portion, which engages the frame 36 and the bentpver portion of the extension 38. A downwardly extending flange 66 is provided extending into the said extension, and an'inclined portion 66 is provided between the said flange and the said recessed portion 64 to form an unobstructed passage for the mail.

uWhen the two sections are placed in the proper position, a locking bar 67 is placed at their junction, the said bar comprising upper and lower fianges GS and 69, which enthe upper and lower faces .of the transverse bars of the two sections respectively, and side members 70, recessed portions 7l being provided in the said flanges to enable the said locking bar to be fitted over the jambs at the sides of the panels.

For retaining the said bar in position, bolts 72 and hai/'ing hooked ends 7 4tare guided in the member '75, and are adapted to be projected to an outer position and retracted by the operation of the lock 76. The inner faces of the said hooked ends are slightly beveled to make a snugly fitting joint when locked. In the projected or outer position, the hooked portions are disposed in apertures 77 provided in the inwardly projecting members 78 and 79 secured to the sides of the mail chute, and the bar is free to be removed, so that the panels may be lifted out of position, but in the retracted position the said hooked ends engage embossed portions 8O at the sides of the apertures 77, and the locking bar is locked in position, thereby preventing movement of the panels. Inwardly inclined aprons 7 8 and 79 are provided at the back of the projecting members 78 and 79, over which the apron 6l of the upper front wall lits for forming an unobstructed passage for the mail.

The drop-opening of the chute comprises a hollow member Sl having a flange S2 along each side, which is engaged by the glass supporting channel e7, and a flange S3 along the lower side engages the front face of the glass. Recesses Sil are provided at the rear of the said opening, into which the plate glass extends, and in which it is supported, and a gate is pivoted at the upper end of the front wall of the said member at S6, flanges 87 being provided at the upper edges of the sides to prevent the said gate from being drawn out of the opening, and projections SS are provided on the lower side of the gate for supporting the same in inclined position when the said gate is open.

For the purpose of closing the gate when desired, an opening 89 is provided in the same, which may be engaged by a hook or wire from the outside of the chute, without removing panels, for drawing the gate to closed position against the flanges 87, whereupon spring-pressed plungers 90 (Fig. 8) provided at the sides of the drop-opening engage beneath the sides of the said gate, and hold the same in raised position against the flanges 87. By comparatively slight pressure on the saidjgate, the same may be disengaged from the side walls when desired' to Open the drop-opening. An inclined guide member 92 is disposed within the opening, being secured at its lower end to the lower inner edges of the member 8l, and at its upper end to the front face thereof to guide the mail into the chute.

With my improved invention, a very satisfactory and advantageous mail chute is provided, which is substantial in construction, absolutely free from obstruction to impede or choke the mail dropping therethrough, and quickly opened and closed when deired.

I have illustrated and described one enibodiment of my invention, but it is obvious that changes may be made therein within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims. Y

l. An improved mail chute, comprising a rear wall, side walls bent forwardly therefrom, jambs at the forward ends of said side walls, provided with inclined inner faces, forming an opening of gradually decreasing width at the front of said chute, and front walls engaging the said side walls and adapted to form a frictional yielding contact at one point longitudinally of said inclined inner faces to maintain a. tightly closed joint at said point of contact.

2. An improved mail chute, comprising a rear wall, side walls bent forwardly there-- from, jambs at the forward ends of said side walls, provided with inclined inner faces forming an opening of gradually decreas-A ing width at the front of said chute, and front walls engaging the said side walls, said edges being inclined in an opposite direction from said inclined inner faces of the `iambs, and adapted to form a frictional yielding contact at one point longitudinally of said inclined inner faces, to maintain a ytightly closed joint at said point of contact.

3. An improved mail chute, comprising a rear wall, side walls bent forwardly therefrom, jambs at the forward ends of said side walls, provided with inclined inner faces forming an opening of gradually decreasing width at the front of said chute, and front walls engaging the said side walls and provided with longitudinal recesses frictionally engaging the said janibs, and adapted to form a frictional yielding contact at one point longitudinally of said inclined inner faces to maintain a tightly closed joint at said point of contact.

4. An improved mail chute, comprising a rear wall, side walls bent forwardly therefrom, jambs at the forward ends of said side walls bentV inwardly therefrom, forwardly from the said inwardly bent portion to form inclined inner faces, outwardly therefrom and rearwardly to the said inwardly bent portion to form a longitudinal recess at each side of the said jambs, and front walls provided at each side with longitudinal recesses, frictionally engaging the said jambs.

5. An improved mail chute, comprising a rear wall, side walls bent forwardly therefrom and having a slight resiliency, jambs at the forward ends of said side walls, bent inwardly therefrom, forwardly from the said inwardly bent portion to form inclined inner faces, outwardly therefrom and rearwardly to the said inwardly bent portion to form a longitudinal recess at each side of the said jambs, the said jambs having a slight resiliency and being provided with cut-out portions in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, front walls provided at each side with longitudinal recesses frictionally engaging the said jambs, and hooked portions in the said recesses engaging the said cut-out portions of the jambs.

6. An improved mail chute, comprising a rear wall, side walls bent forwardly therefrom, jambs at the forward ends of said side walls, bent inwardly therefrom, forwardly from the said inwardly bent portion to form inclined inner faces, outwardly therefrom and rearwardly to the said inwardly bent portion to form longitudinal recesses at each side of the said jambs, the said jambs having a slight resiliency and being provided with cut-out portions in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, front walls comp-rising channel-shaped side members having hooked portions provided in the webs thereof, adapted to engage the cut-out portions of the said jambs, and inwardly extending flange portions, a sheet-metal shell inclosing the said channel and the said fianged portion, and extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom toform with the said flange a channel, a glass panel held at its edges-in said channel, the said channel-shaped side members and the said glass engaging channels being adapted to frictionally engage the said j ambs.

7. A mail chute comprising a body section having an opening at the front and rearwardly-converging surfaces at the sides of said opening, and a front panel for closing said opening, the sides of said front panel being engaged with friction pressure between said converging surfaces, at the rear surface of said front panel.

8. A mail chute comprising a body section having an opening at the front and jambs at the sides of said opening, and a front panel for closing said opening, the side portions of said panel having their rear surfaces flush with the adjacent rear surfaces of the respective jambs, and immediately contiguous to such surfaces so as to form continuous smooth surfaces therewith, and being in tight engagement with the said jambs. Y

9. A mail chute comprising a body section having an opening at the front, and a front panel for closing said opening, said panel comprising a pane and side channels embracing the edges of the pane and fitted tightly between the edges of said opening, said channels having front walls engaging the front face of the pane, side walls engaging the side faces of the pane at the forward corners only and diverging therefrom rearwardly, and rear walls engaging the rear face of the pane.

10. A mail chute comprising a body section having an opening at the front, and a front panel for closing said opening, said panel comprising a pane and side channels embracing the edges of the pane and fitted tightly between the edges of said opening, said channels having front walls engaging the front face of the pane at the side edges thereof, side walls engaging the side faces of the pane at the forward corners only, and rear walls, the main portions of which are out of contact with the pane while their inner edges have a bearing against the rear face of the pane.

11. A mail chute comprising a body section having an opening at the front and rearwardly-converging surfaces at the sides of said opening, and a front panel for closing said opening, having forwardly-converging side surfaces, the rear portions of which engage said rearwardly-converging surfaces of the body section.

12. In a mail chute, a body portion provided with longitudinal jambs having openings, and a panel movable lengthwise of the body portion and provided with longitudinal channeled portions open rearwardly and each straddling or embracing one of saidV reo jambs, said panel also having, within its channeled portions, hooks adapted to enter said openings.

13. In a mail chute, a body portion having longitudinal jambs, and a panel movable lengthwise ofthe body. portion and having longitudinal channeled portions open rearwardly and each straddling or embracing one of said jambs, said channeled portions and jambs being provided at their adjacent surfaces with mating projections and sockets adapted to be brought to locking or releasing positions by the longitudinalmovement of the panel.

14. In a mail chute, a body portion having longitudinal jambs, and a panel having longitudinal channeled members, each open rearwardly to straddle or embrace one of said jambs, the inner portions of said members being provided, between the jambs, with inwardly-open channels, and a panel whose side edges are fitted into said channels, t-he body portion and panel having converging resilient walls abutting to form a flush joint when the panel is locked in closed position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J os. BisnAND, D. Lewis MATTEM. 

